Germany reports significant rise in identified human trafficking victims

The number of identified human trafficking victims in Germany has risen significantly over the last decade. According to data from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, at least 800 victims have been identified annually since 2021. In the most recent year, 958 individuals were identified as victims of trafficking and exploitation, compared to 469 in 2015 and 656 in 2016.

The majority of identified victims are female, including many victims of forced prostitution. Concerns have been raised regarding the rate of referral to counseling services; in the last two years, approximately 23 percent of victims were referred to support centers, a decrease from previous years when the rate typically ranged between 27 and 35 percent.

Political representatives have called for increased counseling and better access to support to ensure victims are aware of their rights and can reliably access assistance.